Ad Watch: Ige’s First Spot, and Takai Gets Outside Help

Editor’s Note: It’s an election year and that means lots of political commercials. Ad Watch is an occasional Civil Beat series in which we help you understand what you’re seeing and hearing when it comes to campaign messages from Hawaii candidates.

Neil Abercrombie’s campaign has flooded the television stations with campaign commercials. Seeking a second and final term as governor, he began advertising early and often.

Not so David Ige, the state senator challenging him in the Democratic primary. Heavily out-raised and outspent by the incumbent, he just hasn’t had the moolah to compete.

Now, with just over two weeks to go until the Aug. 9 primary, Ige has finally released his first TV spot. Check it out:

It’s a good spot that hits all the right notes: commitment, dedication, integrity, trust, even love.

The photos are great — especially the childhood pics and the one with the candidate in bangs, apparently in his first run for office.

And it’s amazing to think that Ige has five brothers. He’s the fifth of six.

Finally, the narration is from Ige’s wife, Dawn. His campaign is a real family effort.

Screen shot from David Ige’s first campaign commercial, July 24, 2014.

David Ige for Governor

In fact, the campaign liked its first ad so much that it sent out a plea to supporters this week: “Please donate $10 or whatever you can to keep our commercial on TV.”

In other words, the Ige campaign is still hurting for cash.

Speaking of cash, Mark Takai received a huge helping hand this week from VoteVets.org, which focuses “on matters